On the way out of the parking structure, she received an email from her building’s management company. They’d taken a dog through her apartment, and it was free and clear of bedbugs. They would still spray before she moved back in, but her stuff was okay.
That was a relief, but she’d already taken a ton of shit to the dry cleaners, not just items that had been damaged in the leak, but stuff that couldn’t be washed normally. She was going to have to pay some hefty dry-cleaning bills for nothing.
Kevin and Lori were already in front of the cafe when she strolled up to them. With his signature light brown waves covered by a dark blue baseball cap, Kevin bounded up to her and caught her in an exuberant hug. “Long time no see!” He gave her a smacking kiss on her temple.
Lori’s straight black hair was also covered by a hat, but hers had pointed silver studs covering the bill, and it was turned backward. She caught Natasha around the waist for a hug, and Natasha had to lean down to complete the embrace. There was a good five-inch difference in their heights.
“This place is crowded,” Lori said, jerking a thumb at the cafe behind them. Sure enough, all the outdoor tables were crammed with people, and the seating inside was similarly occupied.
“And I’m hungry,” Kevin added. “We were talking about trying the new Mexican place that opened across the street.”
He pointed, and Natasha turned. Yet another trendy—and expensive—restaurant had popped up since she’d last been to this part of Culver City.
“We could try a different cafe,” Natasha suggested. She was okay meeting for coffee—something cheap—but dinner was more than she could afford at the moment. When Kevin waved the idea away, she dropped it, in case one of them asked why.
Lori checked the menu on her phone. “Reviews say their guac is great. Although I’m sure it has nothing on yours, Tash.”
Natasha flashed them a grin. “It’s true, I make great guac.” At a fraction of the price.
Kevin snapped his fingers. “We should do a cast potluck again. Before the next season starts filming.”
“It won’t be the same without Gina,” Lori said. “How’s she doing? Have you heard from her?”
The mention of Gina brought a pang of discomfort. “Yeah, she sent a picture a couple days ago. She and Stone hiked a glacier or something.”
“Whoa, really?” Kevin’s pale eyebrows popped up. “That’s so cool. I wonder if their Alaska house is ready for visitors.”
They crossed the street and asked the hostess for a table for three. She told them it would be a twenty-minute wait, but one of the waiters recognized them and pushed them higher up in the queue. They only waited three minutes, during which time they snapped selfies and signed autographs with the restaurant staff.
“Fame has its advantages,” Kevin muttered as they finally took their seats, but his tone was dark.
Lori kicked him under the table. “Hey, we got a table faster, and you’re the one who’s hungry.”
The waiter arrived quickly. Lori and Kevin ordered margaritas. Since everyone else was drinking, Natasha ordered a mojito, even though it cost four times what her coffee would have.
Besides, she needed to relax. After dancing with Dimitri and watching the footage on her laptop, she was wound up tight.
Once they’d given their orders—and Kevin convinced them to order half a dozen items from the appetizer menu—conversation turned to industry gossip.
“Any idea who they’re going to replace Gina with?” Lori asked.
Natasha shook her head. “I haven’t heard anything. My guess is it will be one of the backup dancers—maybe Sienna? She’s always smiling, and they started giving her more airtime last season. But it wouldn’t surprise me if they make some picks fromEverybody Dance Now.It’s been a while since they pulled someone from there. Gina and I were the last.”
Lori sipped her margarita. “And I think I was the last one before that.”
Kevin leaned in. “I heard the executive producers of the two shows had a falling out. They used to be partners, you know. That’s whyThe Dance Offpulls talent fromEverybody.Same network, and the showrunners were connected.”
The first round of dishes arrived—big plates with a tiny amount of food in the center of each one. They waited while a waiter made tableside guacamole. Natasha tasted it. Lori was right; it was good, but not as good as her own.
When they were alone again, Lori nudged Kevin’s elbow. “Tell me more.”
“Muriel, our exec, helped startEverybody Dance Now.Or, if you listen to the gossip, which I do, it washeridea, but Kristoff, her partner, took most of the credit. She didn’t like how he was running things—or that he wouldn’t leave his husband for her—so she left, joinedThe Dance Off,and took their best line producer with her.”
Natasha groaned. “I bet I know who it is.”
Kevin laughed. “Oh, I bet you do.”
“I’m going to need another mojito if we’re going to talk abouther.” Natasha flagged down their waiter, and they ordered another round of drinks. “All right,” she said. “Spill it. It’s Donna Alvarez, right? My producer. Fucking Donna.”
